Expanding hair band

ABSTRACT

A hair band comprises a stretchable body and a center hole. The center hole increases in diameter when the hair band is moved from a rest position to a stretched position. A distance between an outer edge of the body and an outer edge of the center hole is greater than the center hole diameter when the hair band is in a rest position. The distance between the outer edge of the center hole and the outer edge of the body decreases and the inner diameter increases as the hair band is stretched. In some embodiments, the body is hollow and filled with one or more of a gel substance, a granular solid, and a viscous liquid. In some embodiments, the hair band is manufactured by one or more of an extrusion molding process and an injection molding process.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Patent Application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 (e) of theco-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/325,676,filed Apr. 19, 2010, and entitled “Expanding Hair Band.” The ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 61/325,676, filed Apr. 19, 2010, andentitled “Expanding Hair Band” is also hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The presently claimed invention relates to hair accessories and hairaccessory devices. More specifically, the presently claimed inventionrelates to stretchable hair bands for securely holding a portion of hairand for decorative purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Women's hair accessories are well known in the art and are available ina variety of fashions. Numerous devices have been developed to assistwomen in creating desirable hair arrangements. Depending on the occasionit may be desirable to use a hair accessory to position the hair in acertain arrangement or to securely hold the hair off the shoulders oraway from the face. Consequently, a wide variety of hair accessories areavailable to securely hold the hair and for decorative purposes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a hair band comprises a stretchable body and a centerhole. The center hole increases in diameter when the hair band is movedfrom a rest position to a stretched position. A distance between anouter edge of the body and an outer edge of the center hole is greaterthan the center hole diameter when the hair band is in a rest position.The distance between the outer edge of the center hole and the outeredge of the body decreases and the inner diameter increases as the hairband is stretched. In some embodiments, the body is hollow and filledwith one or more of a gel substance, a granular solid, and a viscousliquid. In some embodiments, the body comprises fabric. In furtherembodiments, the body comprises one or more of a decorative pattern, agraphic, and a decorative accessory. In some embodiments, the hair bandis manufactured by one or more of an extrusion molding process and aninjection molding process.

In second aspect, a hair band with a stretchable body comprises an inneredge, an outer edge, and a center hole, wherein a distance between theinner edge and the outer edge is greater than a center hole diameter ata rest position, and the distance between the inner edge and the outeredge decreases when the hair band is at a stretched position. In someembodiments, the stretchable body is solid. In some embodiments, thestretchable body is hollow and filled with one or more of a gelsubstance, a granular solid, and a viscous liquid. In furtherembodiments, the body comprises a fabric surface. In some embodiments,the body comprises one or more of a decorative pattern, a graphic, and adecorative accessory. In some embodiments, a width of the body isapproximately ¼ inch, the center hole diameter is approximately ⅛ inchin a rest position. In further embodiments, the body is infused with oneor more of aloe, mineral oil, and a conditioning substance. In stillfurther embodiments, the body comprises one or more of a sphere, a cube,and a tubular shape. In some embodiments, the body is infused with anaroma. In further embodiments, the body is infused with a bitterant. Insome embodiments, the hair band is manufactured by one or more of anextrusion molding process and an injection molding process. In someembodiments, the body comprises one or more of a heart, insect, animal,flower, and other decorative shape. In further embodiments, the bodycomprises multiple designs.

In another aspect, a hair band comprises a stretchable body and a centerhole, wherein a distance between an outer edge of the of the body andthe center hole is greater than a first center hole diameter when thehair band is in a rest position, and wherein the distance between theouter edge of the body and the center hole is less than a second centerhole diameter when the hair band is in a stretched position. In someembodiments, the stretchable body is solid. In some embodiments, thestretchable body is hollow and filled with one or more of a gelsubstance, a granular solid, and a viscous liquid. In furtherembodiments, the body comprises a fabric surface. In some embodiments,the body comprises one or more of a decorative pattern, a graphic, and adecorative accessory. In some embodiments, a width of the hair band isapproximately ¼ inch, the center hole diameter is approximately ⅛ inchin a rest position. In further embodiments, the body is infused with oneor more of aloe, mineral oil, and a conditioning substance. In stillfurther embodiments, the body comprises one or more of a sphere, a cube,and a tubular shape. In some embodiments, the body is infused with anaroma. In further embodiments, the body is infused with a bitterant. Insome embodiments, the hair band is manufactured by one or more of anextrusion molding process and an injection molding process. In someembodiments, the body comprises one or more of a heart, insect, animal,flower, and other decorative shape. In further embodiments, the bodycomprises multiple designs.

In a further aspect, a method of utilizing a hair band with a body and acenter hole comprises moving the hair band from a first rest positionwith a first center hole diameter and a first distance between an outeredge and the center hole to a stretched position with a second centerhole diameter and a second distance between the outer edge and thecenter hole, placing a portion of hair within the center hole, andreleasing the hair band from the stretched position to a second restposition to securely hold the portion of hair, wherein when the hairband is in the second rest position, the center hole diameter is greaterthan the first center hole diameter and the distance between an outeredge and the center hole is greater than the first distance between anouter edge and the center hole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a stretchable hair band in a rest position inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates a stretchable hair band in a stretched position inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates a hair band being utilized to securely hold a portionof hair in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates a method of utilizing a hair band in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIGS. 5A-5F illustrate a stretchable hair band in a rest position inaccordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of the hair band in a restposition is depicted therein. The hair band 100 comprises a stretchablebody 101 comprising an inner edge 103, an outer edge 105, a stretchablesurface 107 between the inner edge 103 and the outer edge 105, and acenter hole 109 with a diameter 111. As shown in FIG. 1, when the hairband is at a rest position, the center hole diameter 111 is less thanthe distance 113 between the inner edge 103 and the outer edge 105. Insome embodiments, the hair band 100 is able to be moved to a stretchedposition (FIG. 2), wherein the center hole diameter 111 is greater thanthe distance between the inner edge and the outer edge 113.

In some embodiments, the body of the hair band 101 is solid. In someembodiments, the body 101 is hollow. In some of these embodiments, thebody is filled with one or more of a gel substance, a granular solid,and a viscous liquid. In some embodiments, the body 101 comprises afabric surface. In further embodiments, the body 101 further comprisesone or more of a decorative pattern, a graphic and a decorativeaccessory. In some embodiments, the body comprises a width ofapproximately ¼ inch, the center hole comprises a diameter ofapproximately ⅛ inch at a rest position. Alternatively, the body 101 isable to comprise any width as known in the art and the center hole 109is able to comprise any diameter as known in the art when the hair band100 is at a rest position. In some embodiments, the body is infused withone or more of aloe, mineral oil, and a conditioning substance.Particularly, the body 101 is able to be infused with any hair productas known in the art. In some embodiments, the body 101 is infused withan aroma. In some embodiments, the body 101 is infused with a bitterantso as not to be attractive to small children and mistaken for candy. Aswill be clear to someone skilled in the art, the body is able to beinfused with one or more of a hair product, an aroma, and a bitterant.In some embodiments, the body 101 comprises one or more of a sphere, acube, and a tubular shape. In some embodiments, the hair band 100 ismanufactured by one or more of an extrusion molding process and aninjection molding process. Alternatively, the hair band 100 ismanufactured by any method as is known in the art.

FIG. 2 illustrates a stretchable hair band in a stretched position inaccordance with some embodiments. The hair band 200 comprises astretchable body 201 comprising an inner edge 203, an outer edge 205, astretchable surface 207 between the inner edge 203 and the outer edge205, and a center hole 209 with a diameter 211. As shown in FIG. 2, whenthe hair band 200 is in a stretched position the center hole diameter211 is greater than the distance 213 between the inner edge 203 and theouter edge 205. In some embodiments, when the hair band 200 is in astretched position the center hole diameter 211 is less than thedistance between the inner edge and the outer edge 213. In someembodiments, when the hair band 200 is in a stretched position, thecenter hole diameter 211 is equal to the distance between the inner edge203 and the outer edge 213. Particularly, as the hair band 200 is movedfrom a rest position to a stretched position, the distance 213 betweenthe inner edge 203 and the outer edge 205 decreases and the center holediameter 211 increases. As will be clear to someone skilled in the art,the hair band is able to move from a rest position with a first centerhole diameter to a stretched position with a second center hole diameterand any intermediate position with an intermediate center hole diameter.

FIG. 3 illustrates a hair band being utilized to securely hold a portionof hair in accordance with some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 3, a useris able to utilize a hair band 301 to hold a portion of hair 315 in adesired configuration. The hair band 301 is able to be moved to astretched position and utilized to hold hair in a variety of differentstyles and configurations.

FIG. 4 illustrates a method of utilizing a hair band in accordance withsome embodiments. As shown in the step 403, a user is able to move thehair band from a first rest position to a stretched position. In thefirst rest position, the hair band comprises a first center holediameter and a first distance between an outer edge and the center holeand in the stretched position the hair band comprises a second centerhole diameter and a second distance between the outer edge and thecenter hole. In the step 405, a portion of hair is placed within thecenter hole. As is clear to someone skilled in the art, differentportions of hair are able to be placed within the center hole dependingon the desired configuration of the user. In the step 407, the hair bandis released from the stretched position to a second rest position tosecurely hold the portion of hair. When the hair band is in the secondrest position, the center hole diameter is greater than the first centerhole diameter and the distance between an outer edge and the center holeis greater than the first distance between an outer edge and the centerhole. As will be clear to someone skilled in the art, the exact centerhole diameter at the second rest position depends on the portion of hairheld within the center hole.

FIGS. 5A-5F illustrate a stretchable hair band 500 as described above inaccordance with further embodiments. As shown in FIG. 5A, thestretchable body 501 of the hair band 500 comprises a substantiallyround shape. In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 5B-5E, the body 501of the hair band 500 is able to comprise one or more of a heart, insect,and a flower. Alternatively, the body 501 is able to comprise any otherdecorative shape as known in the art. For example, in some embodimentsthe body 501 is able to comprise the shape of an animal. FIG. 5Fillustrates the body 501 with designs on the cross section of the body501. Particularly, the body 501 is able to comprise multiple designs onthe middle as will be apparent to someone with ordinary skill in theart. Alternatively, as described above, the body 501 is able to furthercomprise a decorative accessory.

In operation, a user is able to move the hair band from a rest positionto a stretched position in order to place a portion of hair within acenter hole of the body. Then a user is able to release the hair bandfrom the stretched position to a second rest position in order tosecurely hold the hair within a desired configuration. By doing so, thehair band has the advantage of providing an inexpensive and easy way forholding hair in place and for decorative purposes. Additionally, a useris able to move the hair band to a stretched position and secure aportion of hair without wrapping or doubling over the body of the hairband. Accordingly, in contrast to the prior art, a user is able toquickly stretch the center hole of the hair band, place a portion ofhair within the hole, and release the hair band from the stretchedposition until the portion of hair is securely held within the centerhole. Thus, the hair band described herein has numerous advantages.

The presently claimed invention has been described in terms of specificembodiments incorporating details to facilitate the understanding of theprinciples of construction and operation of the invention. Suchreference herein to specific embodiments and details thereof is notintended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. It will beclear to someone skilled in the art that modifications area able to bemade in the embodiment chosen for illustration without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention. Specifically, it will be clearthat the hair band is able to be manufactured in a variety of sizes.Further, it will be clear to someone skilled in the art that the hairaccessory is able to be constructed from a variety of materials and in avariety of configurations while still being compatible with theinvention. Accordingly, the device of the invention is able to beimplemented in several different ways and have several differentappearances.

1-25. (canceled)
 26. A hair band with a stretchable body comprising: a.an inner edge; b. an outer edge; and c. a center hole, wherein adistance between the inner edge and the outer edge is greater than acenter hole diameter at a rest position, and the distance between theinner edge and the outer edge decreases when the hair band is at astretched position.
 27. The hair band of claim 26, wherein thestretchable body is solid.
 28. The hair band of claim 26, wherein thestretchable body is hollow and filled with one or more of a gelsubstance, a granular solid, and a viscous liquid.
 29. The hair band ofclaim 26, wherein the body comprises a fabric surface.
 30. The hair bandof claim 26, wherein the body comprises one or more of a decorativepattern, a graphic, and a decorative accessory.
 31. The hard band ofclaim 26, wherein a width of the body is approximately ¼ inch, thecenter hole diameter is approximately ⅛ inch in a rest position.
 32. Ahair band comprising: a. a stretchable body; and b. a center hole,wherein a distance between an outer edge of the body and the center holeis greater than a first center hold diameter when the hair band is in arest position, and wherein the distance between the outer edge of thebody and the center hole is less than a second center hole diameter whenthe hair band is in a stretched position.
 33. The hair band of claim 32,wherein the stretchable body is solid.
 34. The hair band of claim 32,wherein the stretchable body is hollow and filled with one or more of agel substance, a granular solid, and a viscous liquid.
 35. The hair bandof claim 32, wherein the body comprises a fabric surface.
 36. The hairband of claim 32, wherein the body comprises one or more of a decorativepattern, a graphic, and a decorative accessory.
 37. The hair band ofclaim 32, wherein a width of the hair band is approximately ¼ inch, thecenter hole diameter is approximately ⅛ inch in a rest position.
 38. Thehair band of claim 32, wherein the body is infused with one or more ofaloe, mineral oil, and a conditioning substance.
 39. The hair band ofclaim 32, wherein the body comprises one or more of a sphere, a cube,and a tubular shape.
 40. The hair band of claim 32, wherein the body isinfused with an aroma.
 41. The hair band of claim 32, wherein the bodyis infused with a bitterant.
 42. The hair and of claim 32, wherein thehair band is manufactured by one or more of an extrusion molding processand an injection molding process.
 43. The hair band of claim 32, whereinthe body comprises one or more of a heart, insect, animal, flower, andother decorative shapes.
 44. The hair band of claim 32, wherein the bodycomprises multiple designs.
 45. A method of utilizing a hair band with abody and a center hole comprising: a. moving the hair band from a firstrest position with a first center hole diameter and a first distancebetween an outer edge and the center hole to a stretched position with asecond center hole diameter and a second distance between the outer edgeand the center hole; b. placing a portion of hair within the centerhole; and c. releasing the hair band from the stretched position to asecond rest position to securely hold the portion of hair, wherein whenthe hair band is in the second rest position, the center hole diameteris greater than the first center hole diameter and the distance betweenan outer edge and the center hole is greater than the first distancebetween an outer edge and the center hole.